The epidemiology of haemochromatosis: a population-based study.
BACKGROUND
The discovery of the HFE genotype has revolutionized the diagnosis of haemochromatosis, changing the associated mortality and morbidity.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical significance of a diagnosis of haemochromatosis.


METHODS
In a cohort study, we identified 501 people with haemochromatosis and 4950 age- and gender-matched controls from the UK General Practice Research Database between 1987 and 2002.


RESULTS
The incidence of a diagnosis of haemochromatosis increased approximately 2-fold over the study period and was associated with a 2.2-fold increase in mortality [hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.6-3.0]. There was no increase in extra hepatic malignancy, but an absolute risk excess of liver cancer of 0.89% per year. Diabetes, impotence, osteoarthritis and crystal arthritis were associated with haemochromatosis with odds ratios of 5.4 (95% CI, 4.1-7.0), 2.7(95% CI, 1.8-4.0), 1.9(95% CI, 1.5-2.4) and 2.1(95% CI, 1.4-3.1) respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing numbers of people are being diagnosed with haemochromatosis, and the mortality associated with this disease remains high. However, people are living with considerably lower levels of morbidity than previously reported. This encouragingly suggests earlier diagnoses are being made, prior to the development of complications.
Crooks
C J
CJ
Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. colin.crooks@nottingham.ac.uk
West
J
J
Solaymani-Dodaran
M
M
Card
T R
TR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic
C103673:HFE protein, human; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008565:Membrane Proteins